[T/L: punisher87]
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The guardian knights of the 4th and 5th group swiftly divided their forces and took charge of the beastmen. The rest of the knights, undaunted, spread out their formation and began their search.
Their sharp, shining swords encircled the Spectres, and the aura emanating from the knights seemed capable of slaying the mages on the spot.
They were the most loyal knights of Mary and Diphus, all of whom were soon to be promoted to "Enforcement Knights," the rank just before the Black Knights - meaning they were skilled knights at the level just below the Black Knights.
'This is a tough situation even for spectres. With just elder brother Diphus and sister Mary, it's already a headache, and now we have more than fifty Enforcement Knight-level knights.'
Unlike Jin, Mary and Diphus had been flagbearers for a long time. Naturally, the knights following them were exceptional veterans, unlike Jin's group, which mainly consisted of high-level novices.
The Spectres stopped their attack and assumed a defensive stance.
They had expected Runcandel to come, but they hadn't anticipated it would happen so quickly.
Their plan did not account for Jin's presence, the barrier of the Felinoids tribe, or even Berakt Sidricker.
Their original plan was just to gather and crush the beastmen who were haggling over money and leave the place before Kinzelo and Runcandel arrived.
However, everything went awry from the beginning. The barrier set up by the Felinoids tribe was so solid that it took them two days to break through, and even then, one of the five members died from start.
And it was at the hands of the 12th flagbearer of Runcandel.
Nevertheless, at first, they thought they were lucky when they saw Jin.
Capturing Jin alive and taking him away was far more valuable to Zipfel than killing the beastmen and destroying their cosmetics business.
But in the end, as the situation now showed, it was all a mess.
Now, it wasn't about destroying the cosmetics business or capturing Jin. The top priority was to escape safely from Runcandel's territory and return home.
The two members of the Spectres present here did not know even that had become difficult. Because the Spectres inside the cave already become Berakt's diner.
"The youngest."
Amidst the tense atmosphere between the Guardian knights and the Spectres, Mary called out to Jin in a light voice.
"Why were you here? Weren't you supposed to take on the mission of rescuing some duke or count from the Ekan Kingdom? I'm sure I saw you off on your mission."
Despite being aware that the mages before her were monstrous beings of at least 10-star level, she only felt a slight sense of danger, as if she had encountered a wild boar while climbing a hill.
Of course, for an ordinary person, even that would be an overwhelming terror, but for someone like Mary, it was no more than the feeling of finding a hearty meal.
"That..."
Mary smirked.
"Is something wrong?"
"Elder sister, do you remember the agreement we made last time, that we fight once every three months?"
-The winner is determined based on knockout, and the loser must fulfill one order from the winner. Of course, we'll write up a contract to ensure there are no misunderstandings.
-That sounds intriguing. Though the contract might be a bit complicated.
Mary nodded, recalling the excitement of that day.
"Let's say I won that time, and you have to follow one of my orders."
Mary's eyes widened at Jin's words.
"What? But that was a draw. Okay, this elder sister let it slide."
"Who would let you off the hook after you scattered those mana bombs in a surprise attack? Come on, help me out here."
"I'm already helping you."
"No one here saw me today."
Mary narrowed her eyes.
When she didn't respond immediately, Jin wondered if he had been too impolite.
But Mary was just enjoying the moment. She liked her youngest brother's audacity; it was always refreshing and exhilarating.
"How dare you see me like that, you brat? Do you think of me as someone who will snitch on my youngest brother or something? Huh?"
"I don't mean that."
"Then why did you suddenly come up with a nonsensical request like that? You and I are family, family. Blood ties! Not all siblings always look at you with contempt like Myu and Anne."
This time, Jin's eyes widened.
He had never considered that he would hear such words from his other siblings, except for Luna and Yona.
Of course, Jin didn't dislike Mary, but he always tried to keep a certain distance, thinking that getting too close might eventually turn them into enemies.
"I will make sure to silence those guys and, if necessary, block any information from reaching the elders. Don't worry, and return to the clan. Oraboni?"
"Why?"
"Oraboni, you should do the same."
"...Alright."
Diphus had already planned to do so, even without Mary saying it. After all, this was a way to "repay" the debt from when he was saved by Jin (they had come here without knowing Jin was here) during their mission to assassinate the Black Knight.
"Now then, I guess we're done talking. Let's meet at home, youngest brother. Oh, and about our agreement to fight once every three months, it's about time for it, so be prepared. Got it?"
"Sure!"
Mary turned around swiftly and called out to the Spectres standing behind her.
"You better not expect to return alive. Instead, I will kill you as painlessly as possible. It looks like it's going to be a fun fight after a long time."
Goooh...!
Mary's whole body began to be dyed with aura. The waves of aura made her hair flutter around her ears, and the ground beneath her feet cracked under the pressure.
'When we fought, it wasn't like this at all.'
The aura Mary emitted was enough to make everyone nearby feel tingling sensations.
Mary had a secret.
She had also improved and given her name to one of the clan's decisive killing moves.
What was more surprising was that it wasn't the clan elders who allowed it, but rather the patriarch of the clan, Chiron Runcandel himself.
'This is... volcano!? No, it's something different.'
The seventh decisive killing move of Runcandel that Jin saw on the 32nd island.
The aura Mary was releasing looked very similar to that. From the appearance of it, it was clear that she was unleashing a variation of the volcano.
But what she unleashed was not a "suicidal attack."
'Now I understand why my father always seemed to have high expectations from elder sister Mary.'
Just seeing Mary's back sent shivers down Jin's spine.
She was undoubtedly someone who couldn't be called stronger than Luna or even Joshua or Luntia.
However, they all agreed that if they had to choose the opponent they least wanted to fight, it would undoubtedly be Mary. She had the power to tire opponents out with her wildness and fierceness, regardless of the level difference.
"Looks like Mary is quite angry. It wouldn't hurt to wish the Spectres a peaceful rest in advance."
Diphus also prepared his decisive killing move as he spoke.
"Is it because they invaded Runcandel's territory?"
"No, it's because they touched you."
In the past, Jin wouldn't have thought much about Diphus's response. He would have assumed that Mary was angry because the Spectres put him in danger, a feeling of anger arising from the enemies ruining her personal source of entertainment.
But now, it is different.
He could feel that Mary was angry not for herself, but specifically for him.
He felt relieved about it.
If it were any other sibling, he would never have been able to witness such a heartwarming scene.
"Now, go and see them. Oh, and congratulations."
"Why are you suddenly saying that?"
"With the invasion from Zipfel this time, your cosmetics business will flourish even more. That's what I meant."
***
"Young Master! Young Master Jin!"
As always, it was Petro's urgent voice that welcomed Jin first upon his return.
"I thought you'd come running to find me today. So, what happened this time? Did I cause some accident without knowing?"
"It's not that, Young Master. While you were on your mission, a commotion broke out. A secret mage unit of Zipfel called the Spectre corp attacked the Zhan Kingdom, and it seems the reason was... to destroy your cosmetics business."
"What? My business?"
Pretending not to know, Jin replied calmly.
Looking at the atmosphere, it seemed Mary and Diphus kept their promise. It was not revealed that Bellop went on a mission disguised as Jin.
"They sent elite mages just to destroy some petty cosmetics business?"
"Yes, because of that, an emergency meeting was called. Young Master, please come in quickly."
"What happened to those mage bastards?"
"The 4th and 7th flagbearer dealt with them."
"Are they both unharmed?"
Jin asked, hiding his expression.
"Yes, Young Master. I heard both of them only suffered minor injuries. Along with the apprehension of the invaders on our territory..."
No one in Zipfel could have ever imagined that the Spectre corp would lose five of their members like this.
Three to Runcandel and two to Kinzelo.
'I don't want to admit it, but I guess this time, I get along with those lunatics surprisingly well.'
Jin inwardly sighed with relief. Regardless of anything else, he was grateful that Mary wasn't seriously injured.
'Now is the time for my business to take off.'
Diphus's last words in the Zhan Kingdom were something Jin had anticipated.
Zipfel had sent an elite secret mage unit to Runcandel's territory to ruin the business managed by the Runcandel's flagbearer. It was an act that could be regarded as a significant invasion or even a declaration of war. No, it had to be. It couldn't be just overlooked.
Click.
As Jin entered the meeting room, he saw all the flagbearer and elders gathered.
They briefly glanced at him and then resumed their conversation among themselves.
"These damn bastards! Are they looking down on us...? From today onwards, the Black Sword association will strike every one of their magic product production sites and exterminate them all!"
"Indeed, elder president! Zipfel's actions are nothing less than the Black Knights invading the Lutero Magic Federation! Those damn bastards have done something that can't go unpunished."
"Even civilians could have been harmed. Where did the war treaty go!"
"The 12th Flagbearer was their most wanted person, but we can overlook this. If we let it go without retaliation, the whole world will ridicule Runcandel."
Even if the whole world ridicules them, Zipfel will still feel bitter even if Runcandel does not retaliate. It was only natural to feel that way after losing their best five mages so embarrassingly.
In truth, Runcandel had already gained an unimaginable advantage.
However, Jin was not satisfied with that level of success.
"Elders, may I say something about this situation?"
As soon as he spoke, all eyes turned to Jin.